Inquest into death of worker at oil refinery (From Daily Echo)

Inquest into death of worker at Fawley oil refinery

5:30am Monday 17th September 2012 in News By Jon Reeve, Education Reporter

THE details of how a worker at Fawley oil refinery was killed when he was crushed by pipes were due to be examined by a jury during a three-day inquest starting today.

Grandfather Tony McGowan died from severe chest and pelvic injuries when he was trapped beneath pipes at the huge petro-chemical complex.

The 57-year-old was working as a rigger employed by one of the contractors at the giant Esso and ExxonMobil-owned Waterside site when the tragic incident happened, in July 2011.

Fire crews rushed to the scene and an air ambulance was flown in as the emergency unfolded, but by the time they arrived, Mr McGowan had been freed from under the pipes at Solent View – an area known as COA South Trestle Marine Terminal.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital by road, but could not be saved.

Mr McGowan, of Ebbw Vale in south-east Wales, was a father-of-two who had worked around the world during a career as a rigger that had spanned more than 20 years.

An inquest into Mr McGowan’s death was due to begin this morning before a jury at Southampton Civic Centre.